-The Hindustan Times With key government Legislations stuck in Parliament because of disruptions, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen urged the opposition parties to be "responsible" and discuss the issues in Parliament instead of disrupting it. Sen was speaking at a Press conference organised by civil society groups seeking passage of key Legislations such as National Food Security Bill, whistleblower legislation and grievance redressal bill. They were aghast the second part of the budget...

-Right to Food Campaign and NCPRI Press Release: With the Parliament unable to function for weeks on end, critical social Legislations are being held up. As political parties blame each other for this stalemate, the Indian people - especially the poor - are paying the price. Casualties of this blame game include the Food Security Bill, the Grievance Redressal Bill, and more.   6 May (Delhi): Speaking at a press conference organized to...

-The Indian Express A sound whistleblowers' protection law is long awaited. It languishes in Parliament at the system's peril Nandi Singh, a resident of a remote village in Assam, was brutally attacked with axes in September 2012 as a result of a complaint filed by him regarding irregularities in the functioning of fair price shops supplying rations under the public distribution system. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the...

-The Hindustan Times As the country enters the election year, the UPA government has its task cut out in the form of legislative commitments which are looking increasingly difficult to fulfil. As many as 115 bills (excluding the finance bill) are pending before Parliament. Among these are the land acquisition and food security bills that for obvious reasons are high on the Congress-led coalition's social agenda in a poll year. Ninety-three of...

-The Times of India The National Advisory Council (NAC) on Friday approved mandatory public consultation on new laws and rules before they are brought to Parliament. This will for the first time provide an institutional structure for civil society representatives to express their views. The "pre-legislative process'' was brought in the wake of increasing dissatisfaction over Legislations piloted by the government, especially the Lokpal Bill. The move was initiated by NAC...